When evil surrounds us, we can’t always escape. There is a kind of escape only the Lord can provide in these situations. It is a miraculous escape from violent evil that the Lord will do when no natural escape is thought possible.

Imagine if you were trapped in a riot or innocently walked into a violent situation with no way of escape. In those moments when we are the most vulnerable, the protection of God takes on a new meaning. I have been in those situations several times in my life and each instance, the concealment of the Lord was the only thing I can attribute to my escape. 

Psalm 27 reveals this kind of escape. David began his Psalm with these words, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble” (vs. 1). David wrote these words referencing a time when a mighty army had surrounded him and he was being attacked. 

David then spoke of his delight to live in God’s temple where he could meditate on the Lord and praise His name. While we have no physical temple in this covenant, we have the temple of our lives. Our place of worship is through our life – His temple. 

Then David wrote these amazing words, “For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock” (vs. 5).

When God conceals us in the presence of great evil, He will give us the ability to walk through its demonstration to a place of safety out of reach of those committing the evil. Only faith in the Lord can see this way of escape. We are never without a way of escape if our temple is filled with His presence.   When we are surrounded by evil we will be able to walk through its evil intent no matter how dangerous or life-threatening it may appear. We will escape because the Lord has concealed us in His presence.